More Articles

Although Ohio power plants and factories belched out about 4 percent less toxic air pollution in 2007 than in 2006, the state still leads the nation in fouling the air.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's annual toxic-release inventory, made public yesterday, shows that Ohio plants and factories released 115.1 million pounds of toxic air pollutants.

Georgia was No. 2 with 83.3 million pounds.

The EPA tracks more than 660 chemicals and other substances considered hazardous to people's health. All are released to the air, land and water within legal limits that the government sets.

The report shows a decrease in overall pollution. Businesses in Ohio reported releasing 220.8 million pounds in 2007, down from nearly 230 million pounds in 2006.

Most of the decrease is attributed to toxic wastes that businesses sent to Envirosafe Services of Ohio, a hazardous-waste landfill in Lucas County. The landfill took in 43.7 million pounds of wastes in 2007, compared with 53.3 million pounds in 2006.

In 2006, the Ohio EPA created Tox-minus, a program that asks businesses to voluntarily reduce their pollution. EPA records show that 38 businesses signed up in 2007. None has reported any reductions.

Most of Ohio's toxic air pollution -- nearly 73 million pounds -- came from coal-fired power plants. The pollutants include hydrochloric and sulfuric acids, mercury, lead and barium.